Speaking to reporters at a Building and Construction Authority event last night, Mr Mah accepted responsibility for the unhappiness over the very sharp rise in housing prices, which he linked to the turnaround in the economy. -- ST PHOTO: BRYAN VAN DER BEEK

OUTGOING Minister for National Development Mah Bow Tan yesterday took responsibility for the unhappiness among Singaporeans over the very sharp rise in housing prices, which he linked to the turnaround in the economy.

Speaking to reporters at a Building and Construction Authority (BCA) event last night, he said: 'Housing is always a very sensitive subject. And I guess to the extent that in the last couple of years, housing prices went up very sharply, coinciding with the very dramatic turnaround in the economy, I guess that resulted in quite a lot of unhappiness on the ground. And I accept responsibility for that.'

In his first comments to the media since his retirement from Cabinet was announced on Wednesday, Mr Mah did not elaborate on the price rises but outlined some highlights and tough moments in his 23-year political career.

He counted the forming of regulator Land Transport Authority in 1995 and the opening of the North-East MRT Line in 2003 as among the highs. One major low was his 'traumatic time' during the SilkAir crash in Palembang in 1997, when he was then Minister for Communications.

Throughout his time in Government, the 62-year-old handled some of the most challenging national portfolios. In the 1990s, as Communications Minister, he had the unenviable task of introducing the Certificate of Entitlement and later, the Electronic Road Pricing schemes.

But it is the National Development portfolio that defines his political career. The man in charge since 1999, the former Colombo Plan scholarship holder and President's Scholar became the public face of the Government's perceived inability to control rising HDB prices.

Discontent over housing policy dampened his team's win in Tampines GRC in the May 7 General Election. They beat a team from the National Solidarity Party with 57.2 per cent of the votes.

Earlier yesterday, in a media statement, Mr Mah said he had signalled to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong his desire to step down two years ago but was persuaded to stay on to fight the recent elections. 'But after the elections, when the results came out, it was probably a clear signal that I should do so sooner rather than later into the term,' he told reporters. 'I have served long enough. I think there's room for change. There should always be a continuous change and renewal in the party, in the Cabinet.'

He added it was time to make way for 'younger ministers with fresh ideas'.

'My job is done.'

When asked if residents in Tampines GRC would feel it was unfair that they were losing a Cabinet minister, Mr Mah pointed to another MP in the GRC, newcomer Heng Swee Keat, who will be the Education Minister.

'So now we have one full minister, minister of state Mr Masagos, and the rest of us are experienced, long-term, long-serving MPs, and we will continue to work hard and work to engage the residents and serve them fully,' he said.

Some residents are pleased he can now devote more time to them, he added.

Tomorrow, Mr Mah hands his portfolio to Mr Khaw Boon Wan, the current Health Minister. In his statement, Mr Mah expressed confidence that Mr Khaw would 'lead the ministry to even greater heights'.

He also said: 'I have been privileged to serve under three prime ministers, which has been an exceptionally satisfying and invaluable experience. I never imagined that I could have been given the great honour to serve my country in such a meaningful way.'

(20-05-2011, 07:40 AM)Musicwhiz Wrote: [ -> ]He also said: 'I have been privileged to serve under three prime ministers, which has been an exceptionally satisfying and invaluable experience. I never imagined that I could have been given the great honour to serve my country in such a meaningful way.'